Plans for Oldham mill to become 100 flats could be refused

An application to turn the Ivy Mill in Failsworth into a mix of 102 apartments and commercial units, which would see four extra floors added to the building.

However, members of the planning committee have been recommended to reject the plans due to a disagreement on affordable housing and open space.

Ivy Mill was first built in 1883 before it was extended in 1890 and has been a permanent fixture of the Failsworth landscape for decades.

The mill has been part of Failsworth's landscape for more than 140 years (Image: Plan:8 Town Planning Ltd)

According to an application report prepared by a council planning officer, 102 flats would be developed, with a mix of one, two and three-bedrooms properties, including a number of duplex units on the top two floors.

In a planning support statement prepared by Plan:8 Town Planning Ltd on behalf of the applicant Ivy Business Centre Ltd, the proposal would represent a "sustainable development" which would benefit Failsworth town centre.

However, when planning committee members meet on Wednesday (July 17), they will be recommended to turn down the plans because of issues with the amount of affordable housing and open space that would be provided by the developers.

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For housing schemes where 10 or more housing units are developed, at least 7.5 per cent of the housing provided is expected to be made affordable, unless it can be clearly demonstrated to the council that this is not viable.

Major residential schemes also must provide a contribution to new or enhanced open space, either on or off-site, unless it can be proved to the council it is not financially viable.

New floors would be added to the building (Image: Plan:8 Town Planning Ltd)

In some circumstances, developers can make a financial contribution towards affordable housing and open space to be developed at another site in the borough.

According to the council planning officer, Ivy Business Centre has argued the scheme cannot sustain full contributions towards off-site public open space and affordable housing.

However, the officer said the information provided by the applicant has been independently appraised and it was found the scheme can in fact meet the planning policies.

The applicant is said to have challenged these findings and therefore, due to the fact no agreement can be reached, the application has been recommended for refusal.